(CNN) – Jesse Benton, a top political adviser to both Rep. Ron Paul and his son, Sen. Rand Paul, will head Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's bid for re-election, Benton said Thursday.

Benton acted as Ron Paul's campaign manager during the Texas congressman's bid for the Republican nomination earlier this cycle. In 2010 Benton led Rand Paul's tea party-backed bid for Senate in Kentucky.
McConnell, who is serving his fifth term representing Kentucky in the U.S. Senate, is up for re-election in 2014.

Though McConnell backed Rand Paul's GOP primary opponent in 2010, the two Kentucky lawmakers have since developed a professional relationship.

soundoff(54 Responses)

reelecting this loon could doom us all. so much for compromise/ Forward 2012

September 13, 2012 10:46 am at 10:46 am |

Sniffit

I'm sorry, but it occurs to me that no matter how or when or under what circumstances you take Beaker's picture, he ALWAYS looks like he's been caught right in the middle of saying "Derp."

September 13, 2012 10:47 am at 10:47 am |

Rob - NYC

Hopefully 2 more years of McConnell and out the door you go! Another architect of the "Let's Fire Obama" campaign rather than getting America back on its feet.

September 13, 2012 10:47 am at 10:47 am |

JD

Yes, please re-elect a man who belongs to a party that detests government but for some inexplicable reason feels they need to spend their career sucking on that teat.

Kentucky needs to prove to the other 49 states that it DOES have an intelligent electorate, though I'm not holding my breath.

September 13, 2012 10:48 am at 10:48 am |

Rich

Only the SENILE and uneducated would vote for this man. Putting him into a position where he has destroy DEMOCRACY. A man who cares nothing about the people or this nation. He is a traitor to us.

September 13, 2012 10:49 am at 10:49 am |

v_mag

This guy puts a face on obstructionism. If ever there was an un-American, mean-spirited, hyper-partisan hack in high office, you're looking at him in the picture above.

September 13, 2012 10:52 am at 10:52 am |

Larry L

The people of Kentucky need to give McConnell the reward he deserves for obstructing all progress in the Senate and fighting against all compromise to end the recession. His actions are a form of domestic terrorism – working to hurt America and harm people who have lost their homes and their jobs. People of Kentucky are smarter than that.

September 13, 2012 10:53 am at 10:53 am |

Russ

Lets hope that Kentucky wakes up and gets rid of this anti American obstructionist. His only goal is for personal and party gain. He could care less about the country he serves. We can only hope!

September 13, 2012 10:59 am at 10:59 am |

Logic N LA

This man has no business in our Senate. He has done nothing for America and nothing for Americans. I hope the good people of Kentuky see this and kick him ot the curb.

September 13, 2012 11:00 am at 11:00 am |

ExRepublican

Vote McConell out of the office he fail america he vote to hurt the middle class.
Remember McConell said Obama will be a 1 term president now we going to make sure you not elected again by voteing you out of the office.

One of the head obstructionist in,congress who has done nothing in four years ,time to put in someone normal and not a teaparty do nothing freak .

September 13, 2012 11:02 am at 11:02 am |

Boo

Here's a perfect example of why we need term limits.

September 13, 2012 11:03 am at 11:03 am |

Former Republican, now an Independent

If the good people of Kentucky want to see Washington move forward they will vote this obstructionist out of office. He has been one of the major leaders in voting against everything good for the people in the last two years. A good senator is more interested in helping the nation rather than playing politics with their livelihoods.

September 13, 2012 11:05 am at 11:05 am |

Mark

I wonder how Mitch would feel if a promonent democrat told the press thta his only goal was to make sure that McConnell does not get re-elected? I hope he doesn't simply because he has led the republicans in stonewalling everything Obama has tried to do therefore hindering the counrty's effort to get out of the mess his party put us into.

September 13, 2012 11:06 am at 11:06 am |

Thomas

Kentucky , you have better and brighter individuals who are not tied to corporate lobbyist.

Mitch McConnell needs to retire . He will be fine , he has great heath coverage.

September 13, 2012 11:09 am at 11:09 am |

Squigman

Here's the reason nothing gets done in Washington. The person pictured above needs to be ejected from office, then jailed for the way he's conducted the nations business while holding office. His agenda has only one goal, to make this presidents term in office his last. He's made this statement many times, and I see no reason to doubt him. He needs to go, and the sooner the better.

September 13, 2012 11:17 am at 11:17 am |

dog1

It strikes me that, if you're going to hire someone to run your bid for re-election you would hire an aide from someone who WON not someone who LOST! Oh wait, actually striving for failure is what McConnell does. At least striving for the failure of the United States just to get an administration of no regulations and no taxes for the rich!

September 13, 2012 11:27 am at 11:27 am |

Roger

It is time to send McConnell home. He's done enough damage and its time for him to retire. I have no doubt you have many other candidates in Kentucky who could do a far better job and be willing to work across the aisle for the betterment of our country. Mr. McConnell has proven in the last couple of years he has no desire or willingness to do that. Time for him to go!

September 13, 2012 11:28 am at 11:28 am |

Dan5404

This old man is the epitome of corrupted principles in politics. His entire last 4 years have been dedicated to getting Obama out of office. He was the key instigator of the Republicans taking 4 years off from serving the people and dedicaing all their time to serving right-wing extremists. They were paid for doing nothing...a disgrace to the founding fathers.

September 13, 2012 11:28 am at 11:28 am |

Anonymous

"The person pictured above needs to be ejected from office, then jailed for the way he's conducted the nations business while holding office."

Some might even call his actions treason. I know I do.

September 13, 2012 11:29 am at 11:29 am |

WhatNow

Dear Kentucky, Please elect anyone other than this person. Find someone who represents your state, but who also has loftier goals, other than just getting rid of a President, for Kentucky and the US. The country can't take much more of a do nothing Congress. Thanks in advance for your help.

September 13, 2012 11:37 am at 11:37 am |

bg123

McConnel will probably always be remembered mostly for going on national television and saying that Republicans #1 goal was to make Obama a 1 term president. I think any moderately intelligent person knows that is always the goal of competing parties; to win, but the fact that someone comes out and says that when the nation is reeling is just bad and probably the top reason I just can't understand how this party is still valid.....then I remember that the dems are the other party and I know why.

November 2012 – the choice between th lesser of two evils.

September 13, 2012 11:41 am at 11:41 am |

AnnsTheMan!

Let's make McConnell a 5 term... wait, he's been there for 5 terms?!?! And we let him get away with the whole "1 term president" garbage?!?!?

September 13, 2012 11:42 am at 11:42 am |

TY

I hope he is out........like he said he wants Obama to be a on term President. I hope what comes around goes around. But he is in a state that is well you know.

September 13, 2012 11:42 am at 11:42 am |

Patriot Awesome

I can't wait to find out who his opponent will be so I can donate money to them.